Game report: UConn keeps building lead, rocks Maine

Updated 9:44 pm, Friday, December 6, 2013

Photo: Fred Beckham, AP

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Connecticut's Ryan Boatright (11) scores two of his team-high 17 points during the first half of Connecticut's 95-68 victory over Maine in an NCAA college basketball game, in Hartford, Conn., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2013.

Connecticut's Ryan Boatright (11) scores two of his team-high 17 points during the first half of Connecticut's 95-68 victory over Maine in an NCAA college basketball game, in Hartford, Conn., on Friday, Dec. 6,

Maine's Xavier Pollard (12) tries to shoot over Connecticut's Amida Brimah (35) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, in Hartford, Conn., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2013.

Maine's Xavier Pollard (12) tries to shoot over Connecticut's Amida Brimah (35) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, in Hartford, Conn., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2013.

Photo: Fred Beckham, AP

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Connecticut head coach Kevin Ollie signals to his team as associate head coach Glenn Miller looks on during the first half of Connecticut's 95-68 victory over Maine in an NCAA college basketball game, in Hartford, Conn., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. less

Connecticut head coach Kevin Ollie signals to his team as associate head coach Glenn Miller looks on during the first half of Connecticut's 95-68 victory over Maine in an NCAA college basketball game, in ... more

Photo: Fred Beckham, AP

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Maine's Dimitry Akanda-Coronel (1) is fouled by Connecticut's DeAndre Daniels, right, as Shabazz Napier looks on during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, in Hartford, Conn., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. less

Maine's Dimitry Akanda-Coronel (1) is fouled by Connecticut's DeAndre Daniels, right, as Shabazz Napier looks on during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, in Hartford, Conn., on Friday, Dec. 6, ... more

Photo: Fred Beckham, AP

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Connecticut's Ryan Boatright (11) shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Maine, in Hartford, Conn., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2013.

Connecticut's Ryan Boatright (11) shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Maine, in Hartford, Conn., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2013.

Photo: Fred Beckham, AP

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Connecticut's Ryan Boatright (11) drives past Maine's Zarko Valjarevic (5) during the first half of Connecticut's 95-68 victory over Maine in an NCAA college basketball game, in Hartford, Conn., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. less

Connecticut's Ryan Boatright (11) drives past Maine's Zarko Valjarevic (5) during the first half of Connecticut's 95-68 victory over Maine in an NCAA college basketball game, in Hartford, Conn., on Friday, Dec. ... more

Photo: Fred Beckham, AP

Game report: UConn keeps building lead, rocks Maine

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HARTFORD -- Kevin Ollie wanted the roller-coaster ride to end when UConn took the lead.

In previous games this season, the Huskies tended to let opponents, even mid-major schools, hang around too long. Against the Maine Black Bears, the Huskies' lead just kept going up as they rolled to a 95-68 victory in front of 9,681 fans Friday night at the XL Center.

Ryan Boatright had 17 points for the 12th-ranked Huskies (9-0), DeAndre Daniels and Omar Calhoun each chipped in with 16, while Niels Giffey added 12 off the bench. The 95 points were the second most by UConn this season (101-55 against Detroit).

For the opening five minutes, Maine almost had a chance, leading 8-5. UConn then turned on the jets. A 24-6 run, starting with a 3-pointer from Daniels, put the Huskies in cruise control the rest of the way. UConn led 54-31 at the half and by as many as 38 in the second half.

UConn shot better from 3-point range (7 of 13) than at the foul line (6 for 13) for much of the first half against the Black Bears' zone defense. At the break, the Huskies were 7 of 15 from 3-point range and 11 for 19 from the free-throw line. Four Huskies were in double figures, led by Daniels with 12.

Xavier Pollard and Dimitry Akanada-Coronel combined for 24 of Maine's 31 points at the half. Pollard finished with 20 points for Maine (1-7).

STARS OF THE GAME: Daniels was a steady hand for the Huskies with 16 points and five rebounds. He was 6-for-6 from the field and 3-for-3 on 3-pointers. Shabazz Napier turned in a typical night with seven points, eight assists, five rebounds and four assists in 22 minutes to become the fourth Husky with 1,000 points/500 assists in his career (1,377 points/504 assists).

KEYS TO WIN: Ollie doesn't want the Huskies to become too perimeter-oriented, but it worked again Friday. UConn was 14 for 24 on 3-pointers.

WORTH NOTING: Napier joined Tate George, Talik Brown and Doron Sheffer in the 1,000-point/500-assist club. Napier is also only the second Husky with 1,300 points/500 assists (Sheffer). ¦ The Huskies have won 54 straight non-league games at the XL Center. The last loss in Hartford was Jan. 20, 2007 against Indiana, 77-73. ¦ This was the 99th meeting between the Huskies and Black Bears, with UConn holding an 83-16 advantage in the series. ¦ Playing against Maine coach Ted Woodward marked the 18th time UConn has gone up against a former Jim Calhoun assistant. The Huskies are 18-0 against the assistants, with Ollie now 3-0. ¦ Denis and Britta Nayden, from Stamford, were honored before the game for their $3 million contribution to the new UConn Basketball Champions Center and for scholarships for student-athletes. Former Husky Jake Voskuhl and UConn AD Warde Manuel took part in the ceremony.